Her Lost Life

I looked out the window, watching as the rain fell on the dreary Autumn morning. I have been in Ireland for a full three weeks now and still couldn't find what I was searching for. Sighing, I flopped down onto the bed and pulled out the journal that had been left to me by my grandmother. Opening it, I stared at the page that had me confused for so long. "Adriana, when you find this, go to the cottage. Go to the land of our people. They will keep you safe." Grandmother had passed just a month ago, and I found this while going through the estate. Everything had been left to me, and let me tell you, that will reading did not go well. ONE MONTH EARLIER "WHAT THE f**k!", Damien hollered as the will had been read. I shrank further into the chair that sat across from our grandmother's attorney. It was only the three of us crammed in a small conference room. We had just had a small memorial for Grandmother earlier today, and Damien demanded we have the will reading immediately. "How the f**k could she get everything, and I get a measly $100,000?" At the harshness of his voice, I lifted my eyes and saw that his face was beat red. His stringy black hair was a mess from running his hands through it. I lowered my eyes again as soon as his cool blue eyes shot daggers into mine. "Perhaps, Damien, it was due to the fact that Adriana had taken care of Ms. O'Leary for the past 15 years. What was it you did? Ah, that's right, spend her money." The lawyer stated, not even phased by my cousin's outburst. Damien and I were the only ones left of the family. Our parents had passed when we were young and Grandmother had taken care of us since. He had always been a difficult child. while I just tried to keep to myself. During the last years of Grandmother's life, he had spent what money he could get his hands on, usually on women and whatever else went with them. What my cousin didn't realize was that our grandmother was still lucid while he mooched off of her. She knew he would blow through every last bit she had left if he was given more than she had given him. "If there is nothing else, Adriana, I have the key to a lock box that I will be escorting you to. Damien, here is the check addressed to you. You are dismissed." The lawyer stood and handed Damien an envelope before ushering the heaving mad male out of the room. "You will be hearing from me, Adriana." Was the parting remark before the door was shut in his face. I sighed before looking up at the lawyer. "Why did she do this to me? She knew how he would react to this!" The lawyer sat in the chair he had been in before he responded."Ms. O'Leary loved you dearly. She loved Damien, too. She just knew that you were the one that could be trusted with what has been left for you." I sat there puzzled. I had no idea what the hell he was talking about. As far as I was concerned, my grandmother had left a small fortune that was going to be donated, and a house in Port Townsend. Nothing that was really special. "Adriana, were you listening?" I was pulled from my thoughts and felt the flush creep up my face. "We must go to the bank now before they close. Your grandmother insisted you open the deposit box as soon as the will was read." I nodded and rose from the chair, following him from the room. He escorted me to a waiting SUV and sat beside me. Once the vehicle started on its way, he handed me a key and a note. My Dearest Heart, I know you are reading this as your heart is still aching. Sadly, my time has come to pass. Please do not mourn me for too long. You must live your life as you always should have. As it comes to my possessions, do as you please with them. They are just items. There is just one exception, the items you find in the box. Keep them close to you. In time, you will understand why. Adriana, please keep your distance from Damien. I know je is your only family left, but there is something you don't know about him. Something held from you for your safety. All will be explained to you within the items you are about to receive. You will have questions, and someone will come into your life to help you. I can't explain all in just this small note, but all shall be revealed to you when it needs to be. What I have left to you will help guide your way. Adriana, you must trust what you feel inside. When the time comes, your instincts will tell you right from wrong. I love you my dearest granddaughter. I will be looking out for you from the beyond. Blessed Be Always, Grandmother No tears fell as I finished reading the note. I had no idea what she had been speaking about in the last part of the note and hope something would clue me in soon. When it came to Damien, he was my cousin, sure he was an asshole and believed the world revolved around him, but he would never hurt me. I shook my head as the vehicle came to a stop in front of the bank. I was quickly ushered I to the bank and met by the manager. "Miss O'Leary, please follow me." Her tone was clipped as she escorted me to the vault and a 5able where a box was quickly placed in front of me. I had no idea what I was expecting to find when I opened it, but a well loved journal, a pendant that appeared to have old celtic writing, and a plane ticket was not it. "That's what had to be opened immediately?" The annoyed voice came from behind me. I turned in my seat and raised a brow at the manager. She had her arms crossed and was tapping her heal on the ground. "Is it any of your damn business?" I replied before I gathered the items into my bag and left the room. I may have clipped her shoulder with mine as I left. The lawyer was waiting for me as I made my way out of the bank. "Did you get what was left for you?" I nodded before I entered the SUV. He closed the door behind me, and I rolled down the window. "Do you know what any of this means?" He only shook his head before he patted my hand. "All I know is that you need to do as your Grandmother has left for you to do." He kissed my hand, an oddly old gesture before waving the vehicle off. Before I knew it, I was dropped off to what was now an empty home. One that I had shared with Grandmother for years. It felt so empty now, I felt empty. I dropped of the items before making my way to the kitchen and the bottle of whiskey that Grandmother thought she had kept hidden from me. Pouring some in a glass, I downed it before letting out my anguish in a scream. "You left me like everyone else!" I yelled to the empty walls. I slid down to the floor and buried my head into my arms. I was utterly alone and broken, yet no tears would fall. All I had left of the one person who cared for me was a riddle and a few items that made no sense. Sighing, I stood and walked over to where I had dropped the items. pulling out the journal, I ran my hand across it before opening it to the first page. What I read would forever change my life.